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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:23 am Post subject: FLORIDA - CRA Interview: Marco Rubio on the Issues
Former Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio has recently announced that he is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez in 2010. Mr. Rubio, a Cuban-American, is considered to be one of the up-and-coming stars within the Republican Party. Because of his meteoric rise in politics, the Republican Party has taken notice and is closely following his progress with great interest.
Let's also not leave out our friends on the other side of the aisle—the Democrats have also taken notice as well. Marco Rubio presents a great challenge for the Democrats. It will be very difficult for them to counter with a candidate that is as charismatic, well-rounded and versed as Mr. Rubio—not to mention that he is a Hispanic who can bring back Hispanics into the Republican fold.
More than ever, the Hispanic vote is playing a very influential role in our electoral process. The balance of power is shifting amongst the voting blocks. The Hispanic vote will play a more prominent role in future elections.
This past Friday, I met with Mr. Rubio at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables for a one-on-one interview. The premise of the interview was to allow Mr. Rubio to define his positions on issues and try to dispel any misconceptions about Mr. Rubio's votes or actions as speaker.
Rubio has come under fire from certain factions within theof the Republican Party. Certain individuals are accusing him of acting like a 'moderate' Republican, and have accused him of being a supporter for amnesty to illegal immigrants.
This critical issue could very well prove to be a huge obstacle for Rubio if he does not clarify his stance on the issue. In the past, Senator Martinez has disappointed many Floridians because of his stance on illegal immigration. Polls show that a clear majority of Floridians support border security and enforcing existing immigration laws.
This issue could be a ‘deal-breaker' for Marco Rubio.
The party as a whole is moving to the right of center. Because of the lack of sound leadership within the ranks of the GOP, the masses are ready to stand behind a new and refreshing face that will articulate the core conservative principles and values- the ones that used to define the Republican Party.
Watch the interview and decide for yourself if Marco Rubio is the future face of the Republican Party.
| | 33 Comments | Related Topics » Sarasota County (FL) | Miami-Dade County (FL) | Jacksonville/Duval (FL) | Bay County (FL) | Comments
Christian Posada:
The interview with Marco Rubio was very informative. Javier did not hold back as he went right to the point to ask Marco Rubio the tuff questions, everyone has been wanting answers to. I think Marco explained his point on illegal immigration very well. This goes to show that there is a correct way of approaching the issues. I think it is very easy for some people to make early assumptions without knowing the facts. These people are the type of people that give the Republican Party a bad name. It is important to understand the processes and procedures of our congress our constitution our government and the many checks and balances we have in this country before we go on a witch hunt. Our founding fathers started this country on the rule of law and checks and balances. So we as Republicans need to uphold these same founding principles. I believe Marco is the type of candidate that will uphold these principles. » 4 hours 18 minreply
A Calderon:
fantastic interview!!! Mr. Rubio comes across as very conservative. That is what our country needs.» 11 hours 5 minreply
MRS.GOP:
I JUST SAW THE INTERVIEW AND I WENT TO MARCORUBIO.COM AND I DONATED TO HIS CAMPAIGN AND YOU SHOULD ALLSO!THIS MAN CAN TURN THE REP.PARTY AROUND!» 11 hours 53 minreply
JOSE:
Marco Rubio is a smart man you can tell he does not need a TELEPROMPTER to get his point across!How can I contribute?» 12 hours 1 minreply
ANNA:
I dont know this guy Marco Rubio but ill vote for him just because he is soooooooooooooo HOT!!!!!!!» 12 hours 10 minreply
Anonymous:
IM SORRY, BUT AFTER WATCHING THIS INTERVIEW IT IS CLEAR THAT MARION THORPE HAS NO CHANCE.NICE GUY BUT CANT WIN,IM GOING WITH A WINNER AND THATS MARCO RUBIO!» 12 hours 27 minreply
R.Campanaro:
Great Interview Javier....You asked the right questions and Marco Rubio was right on with his answers. I agree with his views and will definately vote for him. Very impressive and just what we need!» 13 hours 20 minreply
Rose:
Marco would make a great Senator. He is a fine man of integrity.» 16 hours 28 minreply
TALLAHASSEE -- Just listen and don't make any noise.
Earlier in the year, before heading to Tallahassee, that was the approach Miami-Dade legislators decided to take on a series of proposed bills they oppose dealing with the issue of illegal immigration.
The strategy may have worked.
With less than a week to go for a series of immigration bills to be approved for final votes on the House floor, the prospects of the measures passing are ''slim to none,'' said Rep. David Rivera, a Miami Republican who chairs the House Rules and Calendar committee, which decides when bills get heard.
''The last thing we wanted was to come up here and start drawing lines and making noise,'' said Rep. Juan Zapata, a Miami Republican and chairman of the Miami-Dade delegation.
``That's exactly what these people wanted -- the attention. It's an election year, and immigration is an easy issue to press on.''
DETAILS
The dozen bills being pitched in the House and Senate would increase employer verification requirements, give local law enforcement agencies more authority to check for immigration status of people pulled over for DUIs, and ban county or city funding for day-laborer centers such as one that exists in South Dade.
Florida lawmakers looking to pass bills targeted at curbing illegal immigration faced one major hurdle this session -- convincing South Florida legislators, who hold key leadership positions in the House and Senate, to support their cause.
Without the backing of House Speaker Marco Rubio, the first Cuban-American to hold the position, the bills failed to get any major play in their committees. Six weeks into the session, a three-hour workshop was held on the six House bills, but even that failed to produce its desired intent of combining the bills into one larger committee bill.
NOT ON THE LIST
''Speaker Rubio outlined the priorities of the session and this didn't fall under that list,'' said Rivera, one of Rubio's lieutenants.
Cities and states across the country have been passing a patchwork of immigration enforcement laws in record numbers -- 244 immigration bills were passed in 46 states in 2007 according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
All the more reason for Florida to jump on board to pass its own legislation, says Rep. Gayle Harrell, a Jupiter Republican, proposing a bill that among other things would require state agencies to verify the citizenship of any public assistance applicant older than 14.
''We're frustrated that it hasn't moved faster,'' said Harrell, who added that she's prepared to fight for the bill for the rest of the session.
`LITTLE MEXICO'
Her pitch -- and those of legislators backing such bills, including Rep. Don Brown, a DeFuniak Springs Republican and Sen. Michael Bennett, a Bradenton Republican -- might appeal to voters who say they are fed up with illegal immigrants encroaching on their communities.
''My town is now called Little Mexico,'' Deland resident Ann Lambertson told legislators at the immigration hearing.
`ACCURATE FACTS'
The Florida Legislative Hispanic Caucus, to which most Dade legislators belong, opposes the bills.
The group has also taken a similar wait-and-see approach to the measures, noting that it would be ''prepared to provide accurate facts about the benefits that immigration has provided to Florida,'' said Rep. J.C. Planas, a Miami Republican who chairs the caucus.
''I find it ironic that looking back at the presidential election, the two candidates that spoke the most about immigration as an issue, [Tom] Tancredo and [Mitt] Romney, finished last in Florida,'' Planas said.
``Tancredo didn't even get to Florida, and Romney didn't win here. Obviously its not that big of a political issue that the public is concerned about in lieu of the economy.''
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